But in some areas, students only started writing as late as 10:00 p.m. local time, with some continuing into the early hours of May 29.

Several images and videos were shared online showing dark classrooms with no electricity , as students tried to complete the test by flashlight.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC), which organises the exam, has since apologised to students, schools, and parents.

In a statement , WAEC said a mix of logistical problems, security concerns and efforts to stop exam leaks caused the delays.

“Despite our best efforts, we encountered logistical hurdles, security concerns and sociocultural factors that negatively influenced our operations,” parts of the statement said.

The incident has since drawn criticism from many Nigerians who say the late-night exams were unfair and stressful for students. Others have asked for a cancellation.

Meanwhile, WAEC said it is working to prevent a repeat of the situation. The exam is taken by final-year secondary school students in Nigeria and other West African countries.

Despite heavy rain and strong winds, the school director reportedly ordered three Grade 6 students to carry out the morning flag-raising ceremony as usual.

Video of the incident, filmed by a teacher, showed the students standing outside holding umbrellas while battling the storm.

The clip was later removed from TikTok, with some reports suggesting the teacher was pressured to delete it.

“The director cared more about the flag than the children ,” read a message posted with the video.

The teacher, whose name was not revealed, said the students were drenched and that she was “devastated” by what happened.

Bangkok Post cited a Thai PBS report that indicated parents’ shock by the decision, with some of them fearing for the children's safety, especially with the risk of lightning strikes.

One parent said they had considered moving their children to another school in the past due to concerns over strict punishments but held back, fearing the small school would close if enrolment dropped.

Even the school janitor, Sothorn Phokheree, stepped in during the storm to give the children umbrellas and later criticised the director’s decision.

“I have never seen anything like this,” he said.

The principal, who has not been officially named, later apologised on social media under the name Jeeraporn Sanguanchart. She said she had met the affected families and taken full responsibility for her actions.

“I made a big mistake,” she said. “I only wanted everything to go well on the first day of school. I apologise to the students, parents and school board for the damage caused.”

Ban Hin Kob School serves children from kindergarten up to Grade 6. The number of students enrolled has not been made public.

Speaking during her first State of the Nation Address, President Nandi-Ndaitwah said the goal is to help young people get better education and skills so they can find good jobs and grow the economy .

“From the next academic year, commencing 2026, tertiary education will become 100% subsidised by the government,” she was quoted by Xinhua .

The president also shared plans to support youth businesses with a N$257 million fund.

Namibia faces a big challenge with youth unemployment, which is nearly 45%.

The government also plans to start a new internship and apprenticeship programme this year to help young people gain work experience.

Other promises made include building 10,000 affordable houses every year to help people living in poor areas.

The president also said Namibia will start talks about building a nuclear power plant to support the country’s growing energy needs.

The clampdown escalated in the lead-up to the planned March 31 anti-government protests, with sources suggesting that authorities feared a student-led uprising could inspire wider unrest among Zimbabweans dissatisfied with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.

One of the suspended students, Darlington Matola, a third-year student at Great Zimbabwe University, was barred from campus for two semesters over allegations that he incited peers through a WhatsApp group. Matola dismissed the charges, insisting his only “ crime ” was speaking out.

“The regime wants a one-party state and now seeks to politicise our education,” said Matola. “Universities are becoming echo chambers for oppression. We won’t be silenced,” he added.

The Zimbabwe National Students Union (Zinasu) has taken up the matter, with its president Emmanuel Sitima stating that student leaders nationwide are "under siege."

“Our stance as Zinasu has been clear—we are challenging the victimization of students through legal means,” Sitima told  The Standard .

Zinasu spokesperson Kumbirai Freddy Ryan Mugayi called for the creation of an independent student commission to handle reports of violations without fear of retaliation.

“The government must understand the art of inclusion. Recognizing student movements means engaging in dialogue, not intimidation. Student activism is simply giving feedback to authorities about the challenges we face. The government must allow these movements to operate freely,” said Mugayi.

Sean Zvarevashe, a former junior parliamentarian and a prospective University of Zimbabwe (UZ) student representative council presidential candidate, described an atmosphere of fear and surveillance on campus.

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Movement condemned the ongoing harassment of student activists, stating, “Every student has civil rights. We condemn these unjust tendencies.”